Editorial Review

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Reviews (466)

An interesting read
This book is rather strange. There is a very distinct writing style, and Camus paints a very vivid picture of everything that is going on.
a great read that makes you think.
this is the first piece of writing i have read from albert camus and i found it very interesting. the character meursault is a very indifferent character who seems to be very impartial when he hears of his mother's death and kind of continues to be static untill the the second half of the book. i do not want to give the book away as some of the others have, but i feel that no matter what one person does and no matter what ones perception is, it can never match the perception of others. one of my favorite lines in the story is when meursault is talking to the chaplain about seeking redemption through god because according th chaplain "it is not the human justice that matters but divine justice" and meursault's response was "it was the human justice that put me here". no matter what acts you commit, whether they be henous, incensitive or loving, one way or another you will be judged and upon that judgement will be your sentence. it was definitely an easy read that takes the readers on a ride into the thoughts of a man who accepts the one thing he can not change; his fate. "with this, i dont even have a chance to survive, not even a slim one".

Nobody Counts--Not Even Yourself
There are few opening lines in literature more famous than the ones that begin THE STRANGER: "Mamam died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from home: `Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.' That doesn't mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday."These lines are spoken by Meursault, who is the protagonist and narrator.Albert Camus uses Meursault as a symbol of the nihilism that was then sweeping a Europe that was engulfed in a conflict that promised only a continuation of the death and destruction that began with the Blitzkrieg in 1939.In such times of chaos, there was a tendency for Europeans to grow used to the thought that the next breath could be their last.A corollary of that was that if you bought into that philosophy, you also insisted in living in the here and now. Tomorrow existed only as an intellectual curiosity. Yesterday existed only as a prelude for today. Meursault is the embodiment of a generation of conquered French who learned to accept without a blink even the previously emotionally shattering loss of one's mother.
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Subjects:  1. Adventure stories    2. Algeria    3. Classics    4. Fiction    5. Literary    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Literature: Classics    8. Murder    9. Fiction / Literary    10. Modern fiction   

Reviews (9)

For Elementary School Kids and their Grandpa's
This book is said to be suitable for ages 8 (3rd Grade) and up. It's also extremely suited for grandparents. It combines an interesting story line, Captain Lubber is sailing the world searching for the vicious female pirate Arabella Drummond. The book purports to be his journal or log of the trip and what he learned along the way. It is printed on a heavy parchment paper, and filled with activities requiring that you look at a little book glued onto a page, or tie knots with the strings on another page.
Not Just for Kids
While this is graded for ages 3 and older, it's reviewed here so that all ages will see it, as nobody with an interest in pirates will want to miss the captivating, gorgeous PIRATEOLOGY: A PIRATE HUNTER'S COMPANION. Here is the journal of Captain William Lubber, who sailed in search of female pirate Arabella Drummond. Dugald Steer edits an account which is vivid, packed with photos and illustration, and holds pockets of 'letters' throughout, along with a compass embedded in its cover. Maps and drawings are excellent and entire families will appreciate the coverage; not just kids~

Pirateology
Absolutely for all who have any interest in pirates.Beautifully presented and full of interesting information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adventure & Adventurers    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Pirates    8. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    9. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    10. Specimens    11. Toy and movable books    12. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (54)

A great book
If you read all the rest of the dark books this is a great book. It has a the books in one adding to them. Very hard to put down.

The Carpathians are BACK!!
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book.Ms. Feehan is incredible.She bought back every beloved character from the past and made their contribution to the story breathtaking.I even enjoyed Adrienne and Aidan's story.And, their book DArk Gold was the only miss Ms. Feehan ever had.Skylar and Dimitri's story is almost to delicious to wait for but, that Manolito.I cannot wait for Manolito and his heroinnes book.IT will be awesome.This book extended the series and bought me even closer into the Carpathian world.

Thank you Christine!!
I own all the books in the carpathian series.I have waited months for this book & I was not disappointed!!I have always wondered what went on with the characters after their book was finished. Now I know... I love that this book was a reunion of all the characters.Christine Feehan brought back all of my favorite characters, brought in some humor, but this was still a Carpathian book, still a romance novel, but a little more family oriented.I loved that she explained more about the past of some of the characters, and opens it up for more books to come.I can't wait for the next book!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Romance    3. General    4. Occult fiction    5. Romance - Fantasy    6. Romantic suspense fiction    7. Vampires    8. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

This landmark book is a loosely fictionalized account of Governor Huey Long of Louisiana, one of the nation's most astounding politicians. Read more

Reviews (144)

Southern Storytelling
The author has a way of weaving seemingly far-flung stories into the backbone of this story.If you're used to that sort of thing, you'll be in heaven.If you're not, hang in & go with the flow -- RPW writes as theough he swallowed a dictionary and the complete works of William Faulkner, but before you know it, you'll get into the mental rhythm and you'll feel as though you're in a rocking chair on a hot summer day, drinking sweet tea from a Mason jar and listening to the cicadas.
False Advertising, Blatantly Unethical
Yes, All the King's Men is one of the 5 greatest American novels, for all the reasons people here cite, and more.
A great American classic
If you are looking for a great example of American literature you can't do much better than Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer Prize winning classic "All the King's Men". It ranks up there with Mark Twain, Herman Melville, Harper Lee, Truman Capote and all of the other greats. "All the King's Men" is a quintessentially American tale of politics, greed, corruption, idealism, friendship, betrayal, family, and just a touch of romance (but not too much -- this is, after all, a very masculine-centered novel). It is a sprawling tale of the political career of Willie Stark and his journey from the innocent do-gooder "Cousin Willie" to the jaded, corrupt "Boss" who governs the state of Louisiana with an iron fist. After a failed bid for governor where the idealistic young Stark is used as a pawn by one of the other candidates to siphon votes away from his competitor, Stark is crushed and left feeling like a sap. But he comes back and runs again with a new political attitude -- determined that if winning means playing the game that from now on he will outplay everyone else. And he does it, too, maneuvering and bribing and blackmailing his way to the top like a well oiled machine. When he sets his eyes on the Senate, however, his odyssey begins to spin into tragedy. His transformation is narrated by Jack Burden, a reporter who first met Stark when he was toiling thanklessly as county treasurer and later gets a job in his administration at the capital. Burden was, perhaps, once an idealist too but now stumbles cynically through life all too aware of the foibles inherent to human beings (his name, Burden, is quite apt for this position in which he must live). His struggle asks some meaty philosophical questions (can good exist without evil? Is it necessary to do bad things in order to have a good outcome, and is such a thing possible? and more) and thankfully doesn't get too bogged down moralizing the reader (although Warren does dangerously toe the line in a few parts). Reading this book was unique for me because I found myself unable to read it without a pen in hand so I could underline passages and write notes and reactions in the margins of the pages -- agreeing and disagreeing with what was being said. That was great fun, and it was a thrill to feel so involved in a book to be doing that. I do have a few minor complaints, however. I thought that Warren's chronology was slightly jarring as it went back and forth through time and took long detours to get to the point, but since those detours were usually filled with some meaty themes of their own I can forgive them. I thought that Warren's proclivity for repetition got annoying by the end of the book (hitting it zenith when Anne Stanton proclaimed in one flashback "Oh, Jackie, Jackie, it's a wonderful night, it's a wonderful night, it's a wonderful night, say it's a wonderful night, Jackie-boy, say it, say it!" on page 425), but since this is only really present in the dialogue -- and mostly in Anne's dialogue at that -- I can forgive this too. I also took offense to Warren's portrayal of women as either manipulative or wishy-washy but always responsible for the downfalls or travails of men. That's a tough one to get by, but since he can be equally critical of men for their own corruptions and failings I guess I won't let it bother me too much. It's very much a product of the time it was written and of the setting it depicts, and you can't necessarily fault it for that. At any rate, on the whole I would definitely recommend this classic. I don't know how either of the film adaptations compare, but I can't imagine that they could accurately capture the scale of Warren's epic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Fiction    3. Literary    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Political    6. Political fiction    7. Politicians    8. Southern States    9. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    10. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Fantasy - Dark/Horror    3. Fantasy - General    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Fantasy    6. Gentry, Meredith (Fictitious character)    7. Romance - Fantasy    8. Supernatural    9. Women private investigators    10. Fiction / Fantasy / General   

Reviews (152)

Dean Koontz always takes his stories to a new level
I have read Dean Koontz since I was in high school almost 15 years ago and I have to say I haven't been disappointed in his books yet.
another great book
Koontz has delivered another great book.He is a masterful suspense writer and has written another great book.Of course, not everything is truly plausible, but that's not why I read his books.Koontz books are difficult to put down because they are compelling and the reader wants to know what happens next.

Category Five Twister!
"The Husband" shocked me with a twist that had greater torque than any I've read recently.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Psychological Suspense    3. Kidnapping    4. Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray) - Prose & Criticism    5. Mystery/Suspense    6. Psychological    7. Suspense    8. Wives    9. Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Very Pleased
Having just enjoyed listening to Mr. Fry read his novel "The Hippopotamus" on my long commutes, I was immediately attracted when I heard of "The Ode Less Traveled."I have often wondered why I don't understand many poems, (and not just modern ones), and can't tell good from bad.I have tried a number of other books on poetry with no success.Beginning "The Ode..." however, I immediately recognized Mr. Fry's cadence of speech and humour and the first twenty pages have been very easy to follow.Now I am doing his suggested exercises with iambic pentameter, and I am looking forward to the rest and finally knowing something about poetry. In my opinion, Stephen Fry is one of a kind, and what fun it would have been if he had been my high school English teacher!

Standard Stuff
An earnest enough effort but terribly dull. Fry wishes us to revisit schooldays and jot our way through Chaucer, Milton, Shakespeare, i.e. learn the basics, pay our dues. And while it may be true that much poetry, eg Bukowski, is mere chopped-up prose, notes and shopping lists, Fry is unwilling or unable to grapple with grandmaster Pound. There should be more on modernist poetry: TSE and Pound. The Waste Land receives scant coverage. Fry is a fuddy-duddy, amusing from a distance and a bore at close quarters. I wish he would let his hair down and give us some edge and spike.

A volume wise and wry, from Mr. Stephen Fry.
One of my favorite quotes about poetry is from Dame Edith Sitwell. "Poetry is like horticulture," she said. "Each poem should be allowed to grow according to its natural form." In his new book, "The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within," Stephen Fry creates a veritable topiary garden of poetry, providing not only an encyclopedic overview of poetic meters and forms in English but a cogent, bracing and witty demonstration of their value. As its subtitle suggests, "The Ode Less Travelled" is written as a primer to both beginning and experienced poets who need, shall we say, a jump start to their creativity. Each chapter offers a discussion, with examples, of a particular meter, rhyme scheme or form, and suggests exercises at the end for readers to create their own examples. Fry quotes English poets from William Shakespeare to William McGonagall to illustrate his points, as well as a gratifyingly large array of American poets. Sometimes, when an example from the canon is not readily available, Fry will write his own, such as when he illustrates a dactyl (one stressed syllable, two non-stressed) followed by a molossus (three sharply stressed syllables in a row) in an imagined argument between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader:
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Subjects:  1. Anthologies (multiple authors)    2. Authorship    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Poetry    6. Writing Skills    7. Poetry / Anthologies (multiple authors)   

Editorial Review

Mark Danielewski's first novel Read more

Reviews (10)

2006's biggest, most crashing disappointment.
Mark Z. Danielewski, Only Revolutions (Pantheon, 2006)
Approach with caution
I loved House of Leaves, its unconventionality, its layers.I could not stand this book.Make sure you understand this is a book of verse - a long narrative poem (and yes, it rhymes).I just could not get into it, the language annoyed me, the characters were not interesting to me.Was there a plot of some kind?It didn't work for me, which is really frustrating if you know what Danielewski is capable of.

Always Pushing The Art.
Mark Z. Danielewski is responsible for one of the most brilliantly absorbing novels in recent memory ("House Of Leaves") and because of that novel, i have been waiting (beyond) eagerly for his next step. "Only Revolutions" was that step. Being so overwhelmingly impressed with his first novel, i will admit that i was a bit nervous to see his followup, but upon digesting his proper follow-up, i can only shake my head in astonishment and applaud the sheer brilliance of the man who is fast becoming the most exciting voice in american literature.
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Subjects:  1. American Contemporary Fiction - Individual Authors +    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (5)

The best available edition of Shakespeare's works
This is the best available edition of Shakespeare's work.
A stunning bargain.
Fine, unpretentious, and workman-like volumes.No slipcovers, brief commentary limited to introductory essays.Only one of the two available Penguin editions of King Lear, but that's not much of a loss.Identical to the Penguin paperbacks, but significantly sturdier.
Great way to enjoy the Pelican Edition in small volumes....
As someone who reads Shakespeare compulsively (2-3 plays per month on a rotating basis clear through the 37 extant works), I have been in the market for some time for an easily-manipulated and easy-to-read edition of Complete Works that can be taken in a backpack to work or to the beach. In this 38-Volume work I have found it!
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Editorial Review

In a distant, timeless place, a mysterious prophet walks the sands. At the moment of his departure, he wishes to offer the people gifts but possesses nothing. The people gather round, each asks a question of the heart, and the man's wisdom is his gift. It is Gibran's gift to us, as well, for Gibran's prophet is rivaled in his wisdom only by the founders of the world's great religions. On the most basic topics--marriage, children, friendship, work, pleasure--his words have a power and lucidity that in another era would surely have provoked the description "divinely inspired." Free of dogma, free of power structures and metaphysics, consider these poetic, moving aphorisms a 20th-century supplement to all sacred traditions--as millions of other readers already have.Read more

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Reviews (212)

A Masterpiece to Mankind...
Inspirational and true teachings about various aspects of life are what you will find when you read this beautiful book. The book is short, 96 pages, and includes artwork by the author. The short chapters begin with various people (a ploughman, a judge, a woman, a rich man, an old priest, a mason, a hermit, etc.)asking the mystic to speak about different subjects of life, such as:On Beauty, On Good and Evil, On Marriage, On Joy and sorrow, on friendship, and many more)
Incredible Read
This book helped me through some really rough times when I was in a very dark place in my mind and spirit.
Lessons taught well!
It doesn't matter what faith you follow.The lessons taught in The Prophet reinforces most beliefs and is a must read for the spiritual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - New Testament    2. Inspirational & Religious    3. Mysticism    4. Poetry    5. Prose poems, American    6. Poetry texts & anthologies    7. Religion / Bible / Commentaries / New Testament   

Editorial Review

William Golding's classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, "the boy with fair hair," and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: "He forgot his words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet." Golding's gripping novel explores the boundary between human reason and animal instinct, all on the brutal playing field of adolescent competition. Read more

Reviews (1202)

One of my two favorite books
This amazing tale was actually written in response to a British novel where a group of young Brits recreate an idealic English home on a deserted island with no outside help.
Should of been called Lord of the Cannibals...But I love it anyways!!!
This one of the first novels that I actually got through. I didn't quiteunderstand at first, but after I got to the middle of it, I starting getting it. Most people I know hate this book because the boys turn into cannibals, but hey! What's one suppose to do when standed on a on island in the middle of no where with no food? I really love this book, my two favorite characters are Jack and Ralph!
Truly For High School Kids
I somehow graduated from high school -- a boys religious high school, no less -- without being assigned Lord of the Flies. So I decided to read the mother of all high school English books.
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Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Fiction    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Literature: Classics    5. Fiction / Classics    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (24)

Good But Slow
The first book by Sandra Brown that I read was Chill Factor and really enjoyed it. Ricochet was a good book, but slow in the middle. I will definitely read more of her books.

Excellent story!
This is definitely one of her better romantic suspense stories.She's definitely back to the Mirror Image type romantic suspense. This definitely had more romance than Chill Factor.I thought the romance between Elise and Duncan was passionate and really heartfelt. I truly believed they loved each other.
poor character development has me ricocheting between reading Sandra's next book or not
I have read all Sandra Brown's suspense/romance novels so I feel justified in saying that although Ricochet was a better read than White Hot or Chill Factor, I was again bothered by the poor character development. Duncan was a fairly well developed character--DeeDee somewhat better, but not much for any other players. The concept of ricocheting between the lies and deceit carried out by Elise, an unreliable character, is too much to ask of the reader.I am personally insulted that I was cheated out of the inner workings of Elise's mind, thoughts, and force fed her version of everything. The concept in writing is, "show don't tell." None of that here!
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Mystery fiction    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Fiction / General   

Reviews (180)

Political Scandal
When reading this book, you need to throw reality out the door to some extent, but it is still a highly entertaining read.Three high ranking politicians are assassinated for various reasons, and congressman Michael O'Rourke finds himself in the middle of the mess.It all goes back to an operation that was blown years back thanks to a politician who couldn't keep his mouth shut.
A real thriller
My first Vince Flynn... and I wasted no time following it up by reading his "Memorial Day" and "Transfer of Power."I like his style.He maintains momentum.Yes, he's not the most eloquent writer, but that's not the focus of his work.I believe he's more concerned with plot movement, and I find his books simply fun.He keeps everything clipping right along.Are all the plot twists plausible?Who would ever know, except CIA, FBI and Secret Service insiders -- and I certainly am not one.I suspect that not all the events are plausible -- particularly the scene toward the end of "Term Limits" wherein the former Navy SEAL fellow commits murder right under their noses.But it's still a fun, page-turnin' read.

Handbook for change
If there were ever a work of fiction that deserved to be used as a handbook for political change, this is it.Vince Flynn has devised an emminently doable scenario for overthrowing the current occupation force in Washington and returning this country to its roots without all-out war.This book should be in the training portfolio of every Special Forces candidate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage/Intrigue    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    4. Political    5. Thrillers    6. Adventure / thriller    7. Fiction / General   

Reviews (18)

A great inspiration for any coach
I am a first year basketball coach and found this book very inspirational.It makes me want to work even harder than I have and set higher standards for myself.Pat Riley is an excellent motivator and role model.I like any coach who is willing to write about his major losses in his career as well as greatest triumphs.A must read for any coach.However, he needs to write a sequel since he won his new title this summer.Go Heat!

Doesn't make the playoffs.
Of the over fifty books on leadership/coaching that I've read, this is by far the least useful.There are anecdotes for basketball fans, but as far as useful ideas on success and leadership there are few.It is the most useless book I've read in the coaching/leadership field (even worse than Coach K's or Dean Smith's).

A Very Wise Man
You go Pat!!!! Testify!!! This man speaks the truth, ya dig? True like buttah in yo popcorn and just as salty. Diggety bing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball - General    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - Inspirational    4. Cooperativeness    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Teamwork (Sports)    8. Work groups    9. Advice on careers & achieving success    10. Fiction / Historical   

Subjects:  1. Atwood, Margaret - Prose & Criticism    2. Autobiographical fiction, Canadian    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Literary    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Short Story    8. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (97)

Made me read other Philippa Gregory
Once I read this book (about 1 year ago) I rushed out and picked up all of her books.However, this book is in between on the must read list of hers.When I decided to write a review I was thinking this book was just ok...but then I realized this is THE BOOK that turned me onto Philippa Gregory!I've since read 10 other of her books and this one falls in between.Thus if you have read Meridon, this book is much better...but compared to THe Other Boleyn Girl...this book is not nearly half as good!

Gregory has done better
I couldn't tell you who this book was about, but it certainly wasn't Elizabeth I.Portrayed by Gregory as a dependent almost stupid neurotic, this estimation of her character flies in the face of all accepted scholarship.And the writing isn't so hot, either.If I had to read one more time that Elizabeth was picking her cuticles, I would have gone mad.The Other Boleyn Girl is a much better effort.

Gregory is a Born Storyteller
Born in Kenya in 1954, Philippa Gregory moved to England with her family at the age of two and was educated in Bristol. Philippa now lives in the north of England with her husband and two children. She has written a number of highly acclaimed historical novels and her latest ones revolve around the rich tapestry provided by the Tudor period. I have not read all of the authors books butEarthly Joys and Virgin Earth were among the ones I have read and I found those two fascinating.
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Subjects:  1. 1532?-1560    2. 1532?-1588    3. Dudley, Amy Robsart,    4. Earl of,    5. Elizabeth, 1558-1603    6. English Historical Fiction    7. Fiction    8. Fiction - Historical    9. General    10. Great Britain    11. Historical - General    12. History    13. Lady,    14. Leicester, Robert Dudley,    15. Literary    16. Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

Gemma is a winner!
I did not want to read Gemma, as I have a young daughter. But I started reading, and could not stop, it is such a compelling story. And it isn't unbelievable, either, as this kind of sexual abuse of children happens all the time in this world. Look at the young girl in Idaho, whose family was murdered by a sexual predator, who kidnapped her and sexually abused her, until she was rescued, thanks to a quick-thinking waitress at Denny's. Meg Tilly has opened my eyes to the fact that I have to be vigilant, and protect my daughter, because these kinds of people do exist. I have watched To Catch a Predator on TV, and I am glad that Meg Tilly has taken the issue one step further and explained how these criminals come to be the way they are. I highly recommend this book to parents, any other adult caregivers of children, and to anyone who has survived being preyed upon by a sexual predator.

Shocking, but Heartwarming!!!
At first I wasn't sure I could handle the content of the story, however I plowed through.I am more informed and aware as a parent and I am thankful for Meg Tilly's uncensored frankness.
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Subjects:  1. American First Novelists    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General   

Reviews (108)

One of the better books I've read
The first 7 chapters of "The Great Gatsby", by F. Scott Fitzgerald, were 7 of the most entertaining and interesting chapters of literature I've ever read. The last 2 chapters were among the most lackluster and anti-climatic chapters of literature I've ever read.
Revealing the ugly side of the American Dream
+++++
Easy Read
The story was interesting, but not spellbinding.It is a short, easy read.Not sure why it is considered a classic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Fiction    3. General    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Fiction / General